Life-changing moments
Vascular emergencies can come out of nowhere. Stroke. Blood clots. Aneurysm. To reduce the damage caused by a vascular episode, our emergency team works overtime to prepare.
Our stroke and vascular physicians are available to answer your questions.
When minutes are critical
Every moment matters during a stroke. To minimize any brain damage you may experience, we act quickly to diagnose and treat the cause. From the moment you first engage our staff – whether it’s a paramedic or a member of our emergency department
staff – we move into action to prevent further complications.
The risk is real.
Nearly 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, according to the Center for Disease Control. The majority of strokes (87 percent) is caused by an artery blockage and reduced blood flow in the brain.
Stroke risk factors include smoking and poor diet. Read the full list of risk factors below to reduce your chances of experiencing a stroke.
Stroke risk factors are:
- Smoking
- A diet high on trans and saturated fats
- A diet low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber
- Using illegal drugs, especially cocaine and amphetamines
Medical conditions that increase your risk of a stroke are:
- Being over 75 years of age
- Family history of stroke
- Past medical conditions like atrial fibrillation
Learn the symptoms and act F.A.S.T.
The likelihood of brain damage increases for every minute a brain cell is deprived of oxygen. During a stroke, recognizing the four key symptoms saves precious time and improves the recovery outcome. Using the F.A.S.T test is the most valuable way to
quickly identify a stroke.
Face – Can you smile? If so, does one side of the face droop?
Arms – Can you raise both arms? If so, does one arm drift downward?
Speech – Can you repeat a short sentence? If so, do you slur your words? Can you repeat the sentence exactly?
Time – If you or a loved one is having trouble with these basic tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately.
